HORTENSE — Two Hortense women, a mother and daughter, were killed Tuesday when their car struck a northbound Amtrak train.
Marjorie Joanne Moore, 81, and her daughter, Joy Renee Moore, 52, died after the vehicle they were riding in, a 2010 Toyota Camry, hit the Amtrak train at the railroad crossing at Hwy. 32 and Screven Road.
The engineer for the Amtrak train was Don Hoyte, 50. He was being assisted by Dawn Perrott, 59. Neither suffered injuries.
Georgia State Patrol Trooper Chris Rigby investigated the 8
p.m. accident. According to Rigby’s report, the Moores were eastbound on Hwy. 32. The crossing signal was activated with the red flashing light and the crossing arm was down as the Amtrak train passed northbound towards
Jesup.
The report stated Marjorie Moore was driving the 2010 Toyota Camry and failed to yield to the railroad crossing arm signals that were activated. The vehicle struck the crossing signal arm, causing it to break.
The Moore’s vehicle then ran into the Amtrak train striking cars 11 and 12 with its front bumper at impact.
The vehicle rotated counterclockwise facing north on the shoulder and into the north ditch of Hwy. 32. It came to a final uncontrolled rest with its front facing east on the south shoulder of Hwy. 32 after impact.
The Amtrak train came to a final controlled stop approximately 10 miles north from the area of impact.
Funeral services for the Moore’s were held Saturday morning, April 5, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Twin Rivers Baptist Church.
Burial followed in Bristol Baptist Church Cemetery.
For complete obituaries turn to Page 3.
